2020 Honda Pilot Review

Name: 2020 Honda Pilot Review
Brand: Honda

Price Range: $19,710 - $37,990

2020 Honda Pilot Black Edition 4dr SUV Exterior

2020 Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

+294

The 2020 Honda Pilot is space-efficient and smooth-riding, and it provides ample power along with decent fuel economy. You also get plentiful features, a useful cargo area and smart interior storage. This Honda is one of the most well-rounded three-row SUVs you can get.

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Price & Payment

43 cars

$27,480 avg. price

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2020 Honda Pilot Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

No major changes for 2020
New top-line Black Edition trim level
Part of the third Pilot generation introduced for 2016

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.84 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in California

$268/mo

$250/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#15 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Honda Pilot from 2008-2022.}

$465/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.11x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

15.3%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Honda Pilot Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.5

108 reviews

5(46%)

4(15%)

3(8%)

2(11%)

1(20%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Major Electrical Issues

Frustrated Mom, 06/24/2020

2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)

This is the first time I have ever wrote a review but I feel compelled to do so to prevent others from my experience. I have been a loyal Honda owner for over 20 years and owned over 6 Hondas in my life. My vehicle will be brought into the shop for a third time today for very loud popping noises which now resulted in a complete shutdown of the entertainment system and a temporary …

Crackling noise infotainment

Jose Jeddery, 05/15/2020

2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

I purchased a 2020 Honda Pilot with Nav & RES with 24 miles. At 177 miles, a crackling sound and static radio sound began. A week later, the infotainment and the odometer screen would go black and restart within 15 seconds or less. On a typical drive, the infotainment would go dark three times. As soon as it restarted, the crackling hideous sound began again. I took it to the dealership …

Electrical issues

CGmz, 05/04/2020

2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)

I looked forward to owning a Honda Pilot and purchased a 2020 touring in Nov 2019. By Jan 2020 loud crackling noises coming from the speakers at random times and radio turned off. I took it in to dealer and said they had to reboot and reconnect wires. It solved the problem but 2 months later same problem and now the dashboard and infotainment center turns off and says network …

Excellent Choice

Sam Dovels, 03/19/2020

2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

The Pilot in general is a fantastic SUV. I am a bit picky, so I have to nit-pick a little. I'm migrating from an Odyssey, so it's an adjustment for me, especially in the cargo department. I have the EX-L model, with smaller wheels (although so-so design) than the Touring, which helps for a smoother ride. I love the EX-L because it still uses the regular shifter (not push-button gear … selector), and it still uses the excellent 6-speed automatic, which is better than the 9-speed in higher models. While the ride is pretty smooth & quiet, it's still not up to Traverse or Highlander (and now Telluride) quality. Unlike many critics, I happen to love the high seating position with a commanding view, and I LOVE the armrests - the only 3-row SUV that offer it. I appreciate the memory seats as well. Seats are very comfortable, but the large console in front intrudes leg room for the center passenger in the middle seat. I would like to have 4-way lumbar support (the Odyssey has it). The rear seat is tolerable, but nowhere as comfortable as a minivan. The backup camera quality at daytime is crystal clear, but grainy at night. When it rains, the raindrops often blocks the view (it should be pushed in deeper). The stereo system is surprisingly good. Remote starter works well & from quite a distance. I would love to have some feedback on the fob. I appreciate the cap-less gas tank; tire pressure indicator; the clock sets itself automatically, even without a built-in GPS system. I also love the red needles on the gauges. Some minor cons: The sun visors cannot always block the sun, especially at the A-pillar. I'd love knobs for the A/C rather than switches. Rear A/C vents is not the best, and would love the controls to be on ceiling, otherwise rear passengers may push the controls by mistake (I locked it for that reason). I like PRDN on the dash so you know which mode you are. As of now you only one letter at a time. The "Honda Sensing" system is very nice but far from perfect. I can't seem to shut off the annoying steering wheel vibration when going outside a lane. Too many false positives on the "BRAKE" message. The adaptive cruise is braking too aggressively. The Accord has a more sophisticated system, like all-speed follow for the adaptive cruise, traffic sign recognition, etc. The Accord also has a better infotainment system, with more actual buttons surrounding the screen. It also have an Analog gauge view instead of the digital cluster. I'd love to have them all on the Pilot. The steering wheel size is pretty big, probably the biggest of any full-size SUV, which makes steering more cumbersome. Give me a Civic size wheel, and add the 2/10 bumps for improved grip. Steering feel is so-so, my old Civic was excellent, even the odyssey had sharper acceleration & steering. In comparison, the Pilot feels a bit clumsy & slow. The volume control buttons on the steering wheel is not too intuitive. Placing volume buttons under the steering wheel (like Chrysler) is so much better. As mentioned above, I would love more cargo room. The Chevy Traverse is currently the best in this regard. I'd also want more cubbies and storage pockets. I would like the wipers to cover another 2 inches or so, it's leaving out way too much, which hampers visibility especially in a snow. I would love a heated windshield and a wiper de-icer which is offered on the Canadian models. Same is with "low washer fluid" indicator. About the infotainment. While light-years better than Honda's previous 2-screen layout, it still have many shortcomings. I would like to have a "divided" screen which show at once many functions, like fuel/mileage info, media, Bluetooth, GPS, etc. Toyota also have a 3-day weather forecast. There should be a top bar always visible (even when in Reverse) with time, date, day of week & outside temperature. I use a USB with a collection of music. To use this system is again very cumbersome. You can't switch to next/previous folder. You can't see the list of the tracks being played. I would love to be able to go back to the album list in middle of playing. When selecting something in a long list, hitting the back button will take you back to the top of the list, not to the folder where you came from. Also the player is not fully gap-less. Bluetooth quality just sucks. I don't use it anymore after countless complains. I tried it with many phones and they all work great on other cars. There is also missing a REDIAL function to the Bluetooth. The engine start/stop button is way too bright red. It should be dimmer and same color as other switches. The cup-holders are useless for smaller size cups. In my Odyssey, there was rubbers to hold tight any size cup. The side windows need a more powerful defrost. I would like all 4 windows Auto up/down. I would love shopping bag hooks behind the driver's seat & rear seat. Visible wiper settings on LCD like Hyundai is very nice. Steam warms up legs, not the feet.

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2020 Pilot Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$31,550
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$268/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Pilot models:

Blind-Spot Monitoring System: Alerts the driver if a vehicle is lurking in a blind spot and beeps if the turn signal is activated in that direction.
Honda Sensing: Includes items such as forward collision mitigation with auto braking and road departure intervention. Standard on all trim levels.
Parking Sensors: Indicates how close the vehicle is to objects with visual and audible alerts.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover17.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Marginal
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 Honda Pilot Review

Price & Payment

2020 Honda Pilot Review

What's new

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.84 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.}

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Honda Pilot Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Major Electrical Issues

Crackling noise infotainment

Electrical issues

Excellent Choice

2020 Pilot Highlights

Safety

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2020 Honda Pilot Review

Price & Payment

2020 Honda Pilot Review

What's new

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.84 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Honda Pilot Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Major Electrical Issues

Crackling noise infotainment

Electrical issues

Excellent Choice

2020 Pilot Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2020 Honda Pilot info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Honda

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Your Privacy

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.84 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.}